I’m in the Arms of the Cursed Grand Duke - Chapter 31

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 31

 

It was a look that held a complex mixture of anger, disappointment, sadness, and complaints.

 

Clemente continued speaking without concern.

 

“It’s something you’ll have to experience at least once anyway. You can’t do it perfectly. Look at me now. Am I perfect?”

 

Everyone knew that Clemente ran hot. Zephyrus could be the same. Moreover, if he was in a stable state, his surroundings would be fine too, so it might even be a better situation than Clemente’s.

 

“Do you think you and I are the same?”

 

“What’s different?”

 

“Position and responsibility- Why are you like that?”

 

Zephyrus swallowed dryly. As Clemente’s expression became dejected, he somehow felt like he was breaking out in a cold sweat.

 

“I thought Master was similar to me, but you weren’t…”

 

“What do you mean-”

 

“And Rossia asked me to give you this. She said it’s a secret. Only for Master to see.”

 

Clemente returned to her smiling face, but Zephyrus couldn’t even blink.

 

“Since Master is different from me, I think you’ll be able to handle this perfectly. Cheer up!”

 

Clemente, who had clenched both fists to cheer on Zephyrus, grabbed the door handle. He tried to catch her belatedly as she was about to leave.

 

“Wait!”

 

“Master can do it!”

 

She left lightly, leaving behind even more encouragement and pressure. Unable to catch Clemente who had gone outside the door, Zephyrus’s hand could only wave pitifully at the empty space.

 

“Hah…”

 

A sigh escaped him naturally. Seeing the desk starting to freeze again as soon as Clemente left made it even worse.

 

To collect himself, he opened the letter Rossia had given him.

 

It was a report asking for permission to investigate since the Noven Merchant Guild leader’s sudden change in attitude was strange.

 

His father’s father. The connection had continued since the great-grandfather Duke, so the content stated that the sudden schedule change and unreasonable demands were suspicious.

 

‘…Let’s first get through the nightmare of the snowy mountains well.’

 

After reading it all, he closed his eyes and pressed his forehead firmly while writing the knight dispatch order.

 

As if sympathizing with his anxiety, the window rattled in the snowstorm.

 

**

 

Though she had spoken strongly to Zephyrus, Clemente also didn’t want them to discover the fact they had been hiding all this time.

 

‘There is a way.’

 

Even if Zephyrus wavered and the ice was revealed, it would be fine. Because she would make it fine.

 

The reason she didn’t tell Zephyrus in advance was because she hoped he would become a little stronger.

 

‘…He would probably try to stop me.’

 

Clemente giggled. She could naturally picture his surprised face that didn’t match his cold and sharp voice like a snowstorm.

 

But that too would happen after successfully getting through the nightmare of the snowy mountains.

 

When Clemente stretched her arm into the air, flames rose to wrap around her hand before disappearing.

 

Her heat, which was a love-hate existence. Fire.

 

In the desert, even when helping someone, she caused trouble, but here it was different.

 

Her constitution was helpful. She didn’t cause trouble. She could be recognized by people.

 

‘Even if just one person acknowledges me, that’s enough. Like Grandmother.’

 

Warmth remained in the corridor Clemente had passed through.

 

It was a warmth like sunlight coming through the window.

 

**

 

Two days later.

 

The nightmare of the snowy mountains began.

 

The worst period, endured with insufficient firewood.

 

Whooosh-

 

Fierce winds blew endlessly.

 

No, it wasn’t just wind. Snow so thick you couldn’t see ahead fiercely attacked the earth.

 

And that wasn’t all. Ice chunks falling with the snow.

 

The hail crushed all the vegetation that was barely surviving while enduring the cold.

 

During this period, no one went outside carelessly.

 

Because the cold was so intense that your breath would freeze and you might slowly die without knowing it.

 

People who had experienced seeing others collapse and get buried in snow like that lived inside like the dead with the food and firewood they had gathered beforehand.

 

Though it was always the case, this year’s nightmare of the snowy mountains was even more gloomy for the vassals.

 

The usual gentle heat wasn’t enough even for northerners who were strong against cold.

 

It was a time when powerful heat strong enough to burn down houses was needed.

 

Even though they had cut wood all day for nearly two days thanks to Rossia’s decision, it might still be insufficient.

 

“Did you hear that? They say it’s all because of the Duke.”

 

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

 

“They say His Grace did something wrong to the merchant guild leader so they’re not coming?”

 

“Huh, if that’s true…”

 

In that anxious atmosphere, during the short time all the vassals were cutting wood.

 

Strange rumors began circulating within the domain.

 

“I heard he brought in some strange woman this time.”

 

“Ah, I heard. She came from the desert. Could it be because of that woman?”

 

“I don’t know well. But what other reason would there be for a caravan that came well until now not to come? What else is different from before?”

 

“Damn, so it’s because of that bitch.”

 

The rumors that spread like wildfire settled in each house after the nightmare of the snowy mountains began.

 

The quiet manor.

 

The silent village.

 

The lifeless domain like the dead.

 

The nightmare of the snowy mountains made all life in the Northern Region hold its breath.

 

However, this time it seemed like a volcano that could erupt at any moment was crouching.

 

Meanwhile, another difference from last time was.

 

“You can go in! I’m here. Trust me!”

 

There was someone who could move around regardless of the nightmare of the snowy mountains or whatever.

 

“No, no, wait, Clemente! If helping meant this, I would have refused!”

 

“Why? It’s for the domain and ultimately for Master, isn’t it?”

 

Clemente asked as if she didn’t understand.

 

“Are you worried Master might put Rossia in danger?”

 

“It wouldn’t be His Grace’s will. But can curses be controlled at will?”

 

“Yes. I’m certain. He controlled it. Right, Master!”

 

Clemente and Rossia were arguing in front of Zephyrus’s office door when they asked.

 

“If Rossia doesn’t want to, don’t do it. I probably told you to stay only in your room during this period anyway?”

 

Zephyrus said coldly.

 

“Ah, aah! Who put glass on this door, really!”

 

“Mother and I did!”

 

At Clemente’s bright answer, Rossia squeezed her eyes shut.

 

Just hearing the voice, it was an indifferent voice that didn’t care about anything.

 

But Zephyrus, seen through the door’s glass, had such a hurt expression on his face.

 

It was a face she couldn’t keep saying no to.

 

“I’ll be with Rossia so it’ll be fine, and Rossia says she’ll go in now!”

 

“When did I ever- Sigh. Fine. Let’s go in. As Clemente says, His Grace won’t put me in danger.”

 

As soon as Rossia gave permission, Clemente opened the door forcefully. Whoosh, the cold air tried to engulf her, but was pushed away by Clemente’s warmth and disappeared.

 

Rossia gulped.

 

Since Zephyrus had voluntarily isolated himself in his room, this was the first time facing him.

 

Of course, she had seen him a few times since Clemente put glass on the door.

 

But facing him like this without the barrier of a door was quite nerve-wracking.

 

Nevertheless, the overwhelming feeling was unavoidable.

 

Rossia grasped the warm temperature she felt beside her and took a step of courage.

 

“….”

 

For a moment, ice sparkled around Zephyrus, then disappeared.

 

“Oh!”

 

An exclamation of admiration came from beside him. He could see a thumbs up being raised. Ice was a curse. It had disappeared, and Clemente’s reaction meant one thing.

 

That Zephyrus had controlled the curse through his own will.

 

Rossia, feeling proud, let go of Clemente’s clothes—

 

“That’s far enough.”

 

Zephyrus cut her off coldly.

 

“Come any closer and I don’t know what might happen.”

 

Just one step from the door.

 

That was exactly how much Zephyrus had allowed.

 

It was fine.

 

About two months since Clemente had stayed by their side. In that short time, the Duke’s Office door had opened.

 

It was good news and hope.

 

This time Rossia grabbed Clemente’s hand.

 

“Would it be okay if I go with Clemente? No, would that be acceptable?”

 

Zephyrus hesitated for a long while. Rossia and Clemente waited patiently.

 

The moment he finally nodded slightly.

 

Small dewdrops formed in Rossia’s eyes as she stepped forward.

 

“…Don’t tell me you’re crying? How weak.”

 

Zephyrus spoke in a tone of disdain.

 

Rossia, who wiped away the tears before they could fall, let out a hollow laugh.

 

“Anyone can see you look worried too, Your Grace.”

 

“…Me?”

 

“Yes. What good does it do to keep your voice cold? It’s all showing on your face.”

 

Zephyrus unconsciously touched his own face.

 

Since training with Clemente, he hadn’t worn the hood that covered his face, so he hadn’t felt any awkwardness. He hadn’t heard anything particular from Clemente either.

 

She had only kept saying strange things like how pretty he was.

 

‘But come to think of it….’

 

He had never imagined that his face would be revealed to other people.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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